https://shop.fervogear.com/cart
Brown, Hagan, Hartford, and Herrera Dominate Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Wins
Highlights
- Antron Brown earned first 2026 win at Thunder Valley Nationals.
- Matt Hagan won Funny Car event, his second victory this year.
- Matt Hartford claimed Pro Stock win, third victory this season.
- Gaige Herrera took Pro Stock Motorcycle win, his 30th career.
- Next NHRA race set for June 25-28 in Norwalk, Ohio.
Antron Brown claims his first 2026 win at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, defeating points leader Shawn Langdon in a tight Top Fuel final at Bristol.
Brown’s Matco Tools dragster clocks 3.788 seconds at 331.61 mph, edging Langdon’s 3.801 at 334.07. It is his 82nd career win and first triumph at Bristol.
Antron Brown’s 3.788 at 331.61 mph beats Shawn Langdon’s 3.801 at 334.07 in a classic Top Fuel final.
The result lifts Brown to fifth in points after a difficult start. He reaches the final by beating Will Smith, Shawn Reed, and reigning champion Doug Kalitta.
Brown credits improved execution and setup discipline from his crew. The team manages Bristol’s changing surface, turning inconsistency into momentum during NHRA’s 75th anniversary campaign.
In Funny Car, Matt Hagan delivers at his home track, taking his second win of the season with a 4.125 at 310.91 to deny Daniel Wilkerson a first career victory.
Hagan avoids elapsed times but, as the Sunday eliminations recap shows, peaks when it counts, reaching his 100th final. Wilkerson defeats J.R. Todd, Jack Beckman, and points leader Ron Capps.
Matt Hagan reaches his 100th Funny Car final and closes to 24 points behind Ron Capps.
The win is Hagan’s first at Bristol since 2015 and moves him to second in points, 24 behind Capps.
Matt Hartford converts pace into a Bristol breakthrough, posting 6.672 at 205.60 in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro to defeat defending event winner Greg Anderson.
It is Hartford’s third win of the year and 11th career victory. He also captures Saturday’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge to underline a well-managed, repeatable package.
Matt Hartford logs a 6.672 at 205.60 to secure his third win of 2026.
Hartford reaches the final past Shane Tucker, Cody Anderson, and Aaron Stanfield. His consistency sustains third in points, continuing momentum built after the New England winners weekend.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera rebounds decisively, defeating teammate Richard Gadson with a 6.838 at 198.47 on the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki.
Gaige Herrera collects his 30th Pro Stock Motorcycle victory, capping a No. 1 qualifying weekend.
Herrera qualifies No. 1 and beats Joey Gladstone and Steve Johnson to reach the final. Gadson leaves first, but Herrera closes decisively. Gadson leads by 68; Herrera sits third.
The Mission Foods NHRA season spans 20 events, with Norwalk next on June 25–28 at Summit Motorsports Park.
Thunder Valley delivers milestones for Brown, Hagan, Hartford, and Herrera. Further detail sits in the Sunday eliminations recap and Brown’s quarterfinals feature.
Visual Summary
?
?
?
?
?
Antron Brown
3.788s • 331.6 mph
?
?️
Shawn Langdon
3.801s • 334.1 mph
82nd ?
Antron Brown
First Bristol Win
5th in points ?
Matt Hagan
Funny Car
100th Final • 2nd in pts
Matt Hartford
Pro Stock
3rd win of 2026
Gaige Herrera
Pro Stock M/C
2nd win • 30th career
Thunder Valley Nationals
Speed reignited. Milestones made. Champions rise.
NHRA’s 75th anniversary | June 2026, Bristol Dragway
NHRA’s 75th anniversary | June 2026, Bristol Dragway
Next stop: Norwalk, OH — Who’ll power up next?
Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.
Related FervoGear guide: custom drag racing suit built for driver protection, custom fit, and sponsor-ready design.
